Celtics Journal: Philly fans give Garnett what he asked for

PHILADELPHIA — Kevin Garnett poked the Philadelphia sports fans earlier this week, but they eventually enjoyed the last laugh.

By KEVIN McNAMARA | | Journal Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA - Kevin Garnett poked the Philadelphia sports fansearlier this week, but they eventually enjoyed the last laugh.

Philadelphia sports radio was awash in Garnett-bashing all dayWednesday, and some of the country's most vicious fans were waitingfor the Celtics' big man in Game Six. Garnett brought the focus onhimself when he responded to a question to compare the fan bases ofboth teams. "Not even close. You've got fans and then you've gotfair-weathered fans. Take it how you want," he said.

Garnett didn't elaborate, but he likely heard the 76er fansbooing their team as the Celtics were knocking them around thecourt in a Game Three victory last week.

Those same boos were directed at Garnett virtually every time hetouched the ball in Game Six. Garnett struggled early on buteventually found his jumper in the second half and finished with 20points on 9-of-20 shooting. The rest of Garnett's teammatesstruggled badly on offense as the Celts shot just 33 percent fromthe floor.

"We missed shots that we normally make," said Garnett. "We hadsome malfunctions and the game is too big to do that. They're athome, everybody is into it, the crowd is into it. They play reallywell at home. We made our runs but it wasn't enough."

Asked before the game about how Garnett would deal with theexpected hooting, coach Doc Rivers shrugged it off as anon-story.

"I have no reaction to that. I'll let you guys stir that pot,"coach Doc Rivers said about Garnett creating a target onhimself.

Bradley scratched

For the second straight game, Avery Bradley was a scratch for animportant playoff game. It's unclear just when he might be able torejoin the lineup.

Bradley has dislocated his left shoulder numerous times in thelast two months, the latest coming in last week's Game Four loss atWells Fargo Center. Rivers revealed a few days ago that Bradley isalso struggling with his right shoulder. Reports surfaced Wednesdaynight that Bradley's injuries may keep him out of the rest of theplayoffs, but the Celtics aren't ready to rule him out justyet.

"I'm not even sure but we're going to keep saying day-to-day,"said Rivers. "It's a hard injury. Both shoulders are nowinvolved."

Bradley said earlier Wednesday that he was "definitelyfrustrated, but all I can do is keep trying to get stronger. Justtaking it day-by-day."

Ray Allen rolled his ankle in Game Five but reported that he had"no issues," for Game Six. Rivers will monitor Allen and says heneeds to watch his shooter's strength as he takes on more minuteswith Bradley's absence. Allen has struggled defensively late ingames.

"It's simple. If you watch the game, he can't get away (from hisdefender)," Rivers said. "Ray and Reggie Miller always spacedthemselves on the floor. Now the guy is standing right next to(Ray)."

Allen said he was relying on hours of preparation to carry hisbody through these playoffs.

"We put our bodies through so much," Allen said. "I think aboutthe countless amount of times that I've run on the treadmill,lifted weights and the training you go through in the summer time.When you go through moments like this in your career, that's whyyou do it. Your body is in a position where it has to hold up."

Stiemsma grateful

If there is one player in the Celtics locker room who is trulygrateful to be putting on the green-and-white uniform it is GregStiemsma.

After playing for the Sioux Falls SkyForce of the NBDL two yearsago and moving to Turkey for the 2010-11 season, Stiemsma isobviously thrilled with just being in the NBA. That he's beingasked to provide a spark off the bench for the Boston Celtics is alevel he only dreamed about.

"The experience here has been phenomenal," he says. "I'm justtrying to enjoy the ride as much as I can."

After plenty of bright moments in the regular season, the 6-11rookie finally came up big in the playoffs in Boston's Game Fivewin. He threw in 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting, eight in the firstquarter.

"It felt really good," he said.

"Energy" was Rivers' simple answer as to what clicked withStiemsma. "It was the first game, I think, in the playoffs whereGreg forgot all the stuff and played."

Rivers went back to the 2008 championship team when comparing abench role for a few of his big men. On that team, Leon Powe andGlenn Davis shared top billing in huge reserve roles. Now Riversfinds himself flipping a coin between Stiemsma and Ryan Hollins inthe frontcourt.

Rondo, Garnett picked

Garnett and Rajon Rondo both were named to the NBA'sAll-Defensive second team. Garnett was a first-team selection in2011 and in his previous 16 seasons, he was a first-team pick ninetimes and a second-teamer twice. Rondo was a first-team pick inboth 2010 and `11.

The first team included LeBron James (Miami), Oklahoma City'sSerge Ibaka, Orlando's Dwight Howard, Chris Paul (Clippers) andex-Celtic Tony Allen (Memphis). Left off the first team was NewYork's Tyson Chandler even though he happened to win the league'sDefensive Player of the Year Award. The voters for the all-defenseteams are the NBA's 30 head coaches. Boston's Bradley received onefirst-team vote.